The Indonesian government is assuring full national support for recovery efforts following recent disasters impacting the provinces of Aceh,North Sumatra,and West Sumatra. Despite discussions regarding a formal national disaster declaration, officials confirmed Friday that a full-scale response is already underway, backed by significant financial and personnel resources. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya detailed the mobilization of over 50,000 personnel and 60 trillion rupiah ($3.8 billion USD) in aid, emphasizing a commitment to rebuilding infrastructure and assisting affected communities.
Jakarta –
The Indonesian government is prioritizing relief efforts following recent disasters in the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, deploying significant national resources to aid in recovery.
The confirmation came from Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, responding to calls for a national disaster status declaration. While acknowledging the widespread impact, officials state that the response is already being conducted on a national scale.
“There’s been ongoing discussion regarding a national disaster status, but the reality is this event has affected three provinces, with Aceh currently receiving the most attention in the last week or two,” Wijaya said Friday, December 19, 2025, at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta.
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Wijaya emphasized that the central government mobilized resources from the outset. He urged all parties to focus on the ongoing assistance to those affected by the disasters.
“From December 26th onward, the central government has been implementing a national-level response across these three provinces, with a full national mobilization. Let’s concentrate on the substance of the relief efforts,” he stated.
Approximately 50,000 personnel from the military, police, National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), and volunteer organizations have been deployed to Sumatra, according to officials. The government has also allocated 60 trillion rupiah (approximately $3.8 billion USD) from the national budget for disaster relief in the three provinces.
“There was a concern that without a national disaster declaration, funding wouldn’t come from the central government. The President has already addressed this, confirming that all funding will come from the national budget. Approximately 60 trillion rupiah has been allocated and is being disbursed in stages to build temporary housing, repair public facilities like DPRD buildings and district offices, and provide direct cash assistance to the 52 regents and mayors,” Wijaya explained.
The central government is committed to funding the recovery process, and Wijaya dismissed suggestions that the response in Sumatra is not being treated as a national priority.
“Furthermore, some have claimed that without a national disaster declaration, essential resources and infrastructure wouldn’t be provided by the central government. This has also been addressed on the ground. Over 100 ships, aircraft, and helicopters have been dispatched to the region, along with approximately 1,000 heavy machinery units mobilized from across Indonesia,” he said.
Wijaya added that the government will work to repair all infrastructure damaged by the disasters, acknowledging that the recovery process will take time.
“Even without a national disaster declaration, infrastructure recovery isn’t limited to regional efforts. Everything is being mobilized. It will take time, as many bridges and roads have been damaged and are being gradually repaired,” he said.
Confirmation from Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno, echoed Wijaya’s statements, affirming that the government has designated disaster relief in Sumatra as a national priority.
“Amidst the many challenges we face, hope grows from our collective hard work, the dedication of all elements of society working together in solidarity and mutual assistance, and the government’s commitment to prioritizing Sumatra by deploying all national resources,” Pratikno said Friday, December 19, at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta.
“This includes mobilizing all ministries and agencies to address the issues on the ground in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra,” he added.
The former rector of Gadjah Mada University noted that the impact of the disaster varies across different regions, ranging from moderate to severe.
“The impact of this cyclone differs in each district, city, village, and community, ranging from moderate to severe impacts,” Pratikno said.
Pratikno stated that the disaster response in Sumatra is progressing well, thanks to the coordinated and collaborative efforts of all involved.
“Even though conditions remain dire in some areas, significant progress has been made thanks to the hard work of all components of the nation,” he concluded.
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